American Literature Live

Description

This live literature course gives middle and high school students the tools to read great books with discernment and write about them with confidence—all from a Christian worldview. Designed for ages 12–14 and taught at a ninth-grade level, it meets weekly over Zoom and offers a structured yet welcoming environment where students can grow in thinking, writing, and faith.

Each class includes a short lecture that brings historical and literary context to life, followed by engaging group discussion that feels more like a thoughtful book club than a classroom. Students read a wide variety of classic American works (see below).

As they read, students learn to write clearly and persuasively through assignments like five-paragraph essays, book reviews, and research papers. They’ll build essential writing skills, including how to:

• Craft a strong thesis
• Organize arguments logically
• Incorporate secondary sources effectively
• Edit their work for clarity and style

Assignments are paced weekly, and students receive helpful instruction and feedback without being overwhelmed. Recordings are available for families who can’t attend live.

The course also fosters habits of respectful discussion, independent thinking, and a deeper understanding of how literature reflects human nature and God’s truth.

What’s Included

• Weekly group discussions
• Weekly readings of various length
• Short lectures covering literary context
• Writing instruction
• Approximately 10 essays of various types
• Grading

Class Details

Credit: Full Credit in Middle School or High School Literature/English

Ages: 12-14 (This course is taught at a ninth-grade level.)

The class begins on August 11 and will meet weekly over Zoom on Mondays, from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Central Standard Time. The format will be lectures and discussion each week. See schedule below.

The format will be discussion-based with short lectures focused on the historical context of a particular book or short story. The course can be used alongside Dave Raymond’s American History course but is also structured to stand alone.

About the Instructor

Mary Pierson Purifoy was homeschooled through high school and graduated from Liberty University. With years of experience teaching literature, she brings warmth, insight, and encouragement to every class. Her goal is to help students not just complete assignments, but grow in their love for reading, their ability to write well, and their understanding of God’s truth in the midst of great stories.

List of Readings

Bold items need to be purchased separately. Any unabridged editions will do. Suggested purchase links are provided.

1. “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” Mark Twain
2. The Aztec Hunters, Francis William Rolt-Wheeler (selections)
3. Explorer Stories (selections)
4. The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Elizabeth George Speare [Amazon, BetterWorldBooks, ThriftBooks]
5. Poems by Anne Bradstreet
6. Poems by Phyllis Wheatley
7. “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” by Patrick Henry
8. Johnny Tremain, Esther Forbes [Amazon, BetterWorldBooks, ThriftBooks]
9. The Declaration of Independence & The United States Constitution
10. “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Purloined Letter,” Edgar Allan Poe
11. “Rip van Winkle,” Washington Irving
12. Poems by Emily Dickinson
13. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain [Amazon, BetterWorldBooks, ThriftBooks]
14. Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder [Amazon, BetterWorldBooks, ThriftBooks]
15. Battle-Pieces & Aspects of the War, Herman Melville
16. Across Five Aprils, Irene Hunt [Amazon, BetterWorldBooks, Thriftbooks]
17. The Wilderness Hunter, Theodore Roosevelt (selections)
18. Various speeches
19. “After 20 Years,” O. Henry

Schedule of Class Meetings

All Mondays, all scheduled from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Central Standard Time. Exact dates subject to slight change.

Aug 11 – No reading
Aug 18 – The Aztec Hunters (chapter 8)
Aug 25 – Explorer Stories
Sep 1 – Writing week
Sep 8 – Witch of Blackbird Pond
Sep 15 – Witch of Blackbird Pond
Sep 22 – Witch of Blackbird Pond
Sep 29 – Bradstreet poems
Oct 6 – Fall Break
Oct 13 – Wheatley poems
Oct 20 – Give Me Liberty speech
Oct 27 – Johnny Tremain
Nov 3 – Johnny Tremain
Nov 10 – Johnny Tremain
Nov 17 – U.S. Declaration of Independence & Constitution
Nov 24 – Thanksgiving Break
Dec 1 – Edgar Allan Poe
Dec 8-Jan 4 – Winter Break
Jan 5 – Rip Van Winkle
Jan 12 – E. Dickinson
Jan 19 – Tom Sawyer
Jan 26 – Tom Sawyer
Feb 2 – Tom Sawyer
Feb 9 – Little House on the Prairie
Feb 16 – Little House on the Prairie
Feb 23 – Little House on the Prairie
Mar 2 – Civil War poetry
Mar 9 – Spring Break
Mar 16 – Across Five Aprils
Mar 23 – Across Five Aprils
Mar 30 – Easter Break
April 6 – Across Five Aprils
April 13 – Across Five Aprils
April 20 – T. Roosevelt
April 27 – Various speeches
May 4 – After Twenty Years

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can’t attend the live Zoom sessions?

All the sessions will be recorded and posted for enrolled families to watch at their convenience. You can use the recordings to review or catch up if you missed a session.

Families who can’t make the schedule above can still participate in the class assignments and group discussions by watching the recordings and communicating in the group on My Compass Classroom.

What kinds of assignments and assessments are included?

Assignments include weekly readings and papers corresponding with various pieces of literature.  All are designed to help students think deeply, write clearly, and enjoy great literature.

Will my student receive a final grade?

Yes! The instructor, Mary Pierson, will provide a suggested final grade based on submitted assignments and participation. Since this is a live homeschool course, the parent has the final authority and may use this grade as part of their student’s official transcript or records.

Is there a minimum enrollment required?

All live classes are subject to minimum enrollment in order to hold. If minimum enrollment is not reached before the first scheduled session, all families will be notified and refunded completely.

Do you offer refunds on live classes?

We think you will love this class. If you don’t, you may request a refund but must do so no later than before the second scheduled class after your enrollment (purchase) date. This gives you the chance to experience an entire live class session to make your decision.

How long will I have access to the class?

Recording access expires 6 weeks after the last live session. Families are free to continue working through the course on their own during this time. However, no submissions will be graded after the final class meeting, or as directed by the instructor.